Timing and tappet setting indicator having a remote dial



R. G. GIST Jan. 10, 1956 TIMING AND TAPPET SETTING INDICATOR HAVING A REMOTE DIAL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 8, 1954 Ray 6. Gist INVENTOR.

BY WWW m.

Jan. 10, 1956 R. G. GIST 2,730,066

TIMING AND TAPPET SETTING INDICATOR HAVING A REMOTE DIAL Filed April 8, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 \rw 2 w M I Q q M 5 my a H m m m. 22 w. F O

Ray 6. Gist INVENTOR.

BY m,

r 2,730,066 lcfi Patented Jan. 10, 1956 TIMING AND TAPPET SETTING INDICATOR HAVING A REMOTE DIAL This invention relates in general to improvements in automotive tools, and more specifically to a timing and tappet setting indicator.

An automotive engine or other similar internal combustion engines are so constructed whereby both the intake and exhaust valve of a cylinder is closed when such valve is in its firing position. Inasmuch as the rotor of a distributor for an engine is directed towards the ignition contact of the particular cylinder at the time the piston thereof is in firing position, it will be seen that the position of the rotor of the distributor can be very beneficial in the precision setting of the adjustable tappets of valves of an internal combustion engine. However, many types of engines are so constructed whereby the distributor is at one side of the engine whereas the adjustable tappets are at the other side of the engine. While a simple device may be made for actuating the starter of an internal combustion engine so that a mechanic seated in a tappet adjusting position may rotate the engine as desired, if the mechanic is to determine the exact position of the piston of the cylinder in which he is interested, it is necessary for him to get up and go around to look at the distributor.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide an improved timing and tappet setting indicator which is of such a nature whereby it may be connected to a distributor and at the same time including a remote dial whereby the mechanic may be readily apprised of the position of the rotor of the distributor while seated or otherwise positioned adjacent tappets to be set.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved timing and tappet setting indicator which is so constructed whereby it may be utilized with a plurality of different engines of dilferent numbers of cylinders merely through the interchanging of the dial thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved timing and tappet setting indicator which is so constructedwhereby it may be easily connected to a distributor shaft of any type of distributor which utilizes a removable rotor through the provision of an interchangeable connector.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved timing and tappet setting indicator which includes a mounting head removably secured to a distributor head,

the timing head being adjustable for accommodating distributor heads of both dilierent diameters and different wall thicknesses.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which;-

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the timing and tappet setting indicator which is the subject of this invention,'the

dial of the indicator being disposed immediately above a distributor with which it is associated;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the timing and tappet setting indicator of Figure 1 and shows the general relationship thereof with respect to the distributor, an intermediate portion of the indicator being broken away;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 33 of Figure 2 and shows the general details of the mounting head of the indicator and its relationship to a distributor head;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view of the housing and flexible cable of the indicator as well as the stationary part of the mounting head, a replaceable neck being shown in a removed position;

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken through the center of the timing and tappet setting indicator and shows the same mounted on the distributor, the distributor being substantially shown in elevation with portions thereof being broken away and shown in section in order to clearly illustrate the relationship of the indicator with respect thereto;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 66 of Figure 5 and shows the general construction of the connector of the indicator;

Figure 7 is an enlarged top plan view of a replaceable dial for a six cylinder engine; and

Figure 8 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of one form of connector.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the timing and tappet setting indicator which is the subject of this invention is referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The indicator 10 includes an elongated flexible housing 12 which has rigidly secured to one end thereof a housing member 14 which is substantially conical in outline. Rigidly carried at the upper end of the housing member 14 is a transversely disposed bar 16. The bar 16 is provided adjacent its outer ends with elongated slots 18 which extend longitudinally of the bar 16. Adjustably secured to the underside of the bar 16 by fasteners 20 adjustably positioned within the slots 18 are L-shaped mounting brackets 22. Each of the mounting brackets 22 includes a horizontal flange 24 which directly underlies the bar 18 and in which is threadedly received its associated fastener 20. Each L-shaped bracket 22 also includes a vertical flange 26 which projects downwardly below the bar 18.

In order that the lower ends of the vertical flanges 26 may be adjustably and removably secured to a distributor head, there is carried on the inner side of each of the vertical flanges 26 a downwardly projecting, inwardly offset leg 28. Cooperating with the leg 28 is a locking screw 34) which is threadedly engaged in an internally threaded bore 32 in the lower part of its associated flange 26.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5 in particular, it will be seen that the end of the housing 12 remote from the housing member 14 is provided with a fitting 34 which includes a square or other rectangulated cross sectional reduced portion 36. The fitting 34 also includes an upper externally threaded portion 38. Removably mounted on the reduced portion 36 is a mounting plate 40. The mounting plate 40 includes a centrally disposed opening 42 which is of the same cross section as the reduced portion 36 so as to be non-rotatable.

Overlying the mounting plate 46 and seated thereon is a dial 44. The dial 44 is provided with a central opening 46 which is of the same cross section as the opening 42. The dial 44 and the mounting plate 40 are retained on the fitting 34 by a nut 48 which is removably engaged with the threaded portion 38. Extending through the housing 12 and projecting out of'opposite ends thereof is an elongated flexible driven shaft or cable 50. The cable 50 has he end he e f jac n the housi member ,1 p vided with a replaceable connector 52. The connector 52 is provided with a bore 54 in the upper part thereof in which is adjustably received the lower end of the cable 50. The cable 50 is contained in an adjusted position with respect to the connector 52 by a set screw 56. The lower part of the connector 52 is provided with a non'circular cross sectional bore 58 which will be of a cross section to receive the upper end of a distributor shaft.

The upper end of the shaft 50 extends outwardly beyond the fitting 34 and includes a non-circular, preferably square, cross sectional reduced portion 60 which projects out of the upper end of the fitting 34. Removably retained on the reduced portion 60 is a pointer 62. The pointer 62 is retained in place by a nut 64 which is threadedly engaged on an externally threaded upper end portion 66 of the cable 50.

Referring now to Figures and 6 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a conventional distributor which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 68. The distributor 68 includes a distributor head 70 which has a cylindrical body portion 72. Extending up through the distributor head 70 is a distributor shaft 74. The distributor shaft 74 has an upper end 76 which is of a reduced cross section as is best illustrated in Figure 6. The upper end 76 is intended to have removably carried thereby a rotor (not shown). The rotor forms one contact of the distributor and the position of the rotor is indicative of the positions of the pistons of an associated internal combustion engine. The distributor 68 also includes such electrical components as points 78 and a condenser 84). Inasmuch as the distributor 63 is conventional, it need not be explained in more detail.

When it is desired to adjust the tappets of a vehicle engine or other internal combustion engine of which the distributor 68 is a part, the distributor cap (not shown) is removed together with the rotor (not shown). Next the mounting head 32 of the indicator 10, the mounting head 82 including the bar 16 and the brackets 22, is positioned relative to the distributor head 70. In doing so, the fasteners 20 are loosened and the fasteners 30 are moved to the retracted positions. Then the mounting head 80 is moved downwardly with the upper portion of the body portion 72 of the distributor head 76 passing in between the legs 28 and their respective vertical fianges 26 simultaneous with the positioning of the upper end '76 of the distributor shaft '74 within the bore 58 of the connector 52. The fasteners 26 and 3d are then moved to their locking positions to properly mount the mounting head 82.

The mounting plate 41) is provided on its underside with a hook 84. The book 84 is. utilized to conveniently position the dial 44 where a mechanic adjusting tappets can view it.

In order that the pointer 62 may correspond to the position of the various cylinders of the internal combustion engine, it is preferred that the distributor shaft 74 be in position for the firing of one of the cylinders, preferably that of the number one cylinder. Then the pointer 62 is similarly positioned with respect to its dial 44. After this is accomplished, the set screw 56 may be conveniently tightened to lock the connector 52 in proper position relative to the pointer 62.

Inasmuch as the brackets 22 are adjustably connected to the bar 16, it will be seen that distributor heads of various diameters may be accommodated. Also, the particular relationship between the lower ends of the flanges 26, the legs 28 and fasteners 3% is such that the distributor housing 79 having body portion '72 of different thicknesses may be accommodated.

In order to further adapt the indicator 1% for universal use, the connector 52 is removable. It will be understood that the various connectors will vary only in the shape and size of the bore 58 thereof. i

As is best illustrated in Figure l, the dial 44 is for an eight cylinder engine. When one is adjusting the tappets of an engine having a different firing order or a difierent number of cylinders, it will be seen that it is necessary to replace the dial 44 with another dial. For example, in Figure 7 there is illustrated a dial 86 which is for a six cylinder engine. It is to be understood that many other types of dials (not shown) could be provided.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and vdescribed, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A timing and tappet setting indicator comprising a mounting head securable to a distributor head, an'indicator dial, an elongated housing secured to and connecting said mounting head and said indicator dial, a driven shaft extending through said housing, a pointer on one end of said driven shaft cooperating with said indicator dial, a coupling member on the other end of said driven shaft selectively securable to a distributor shaft.

2. A timing and tappet setting indicator comprising a mounting head securable to a distributor head, an indicator dial, an elongated housing secured to and connecting said mounting head and said indicator dial, a driven shaft extending through said housing, a pointer on one end of said driven shaft cooperating with said indicator dial, a coupling member on the other end of said driven shaft selectively securable to a distributor shaft, said housing and said driven shaft being flexible whereby said indicator dial may be selectively remotely positioned relative to a distributor.

3. A timing and tappet setting indicator comprising a mounting head securable to a distributor head, an indicator dial, an elongated housing secured to and connecting said mounting head and said indicator dial, a driven shaft extending through said housin a pointer on one end of said driven shaft cooperating with said indicator dial, a coupling member on the other end of said driven shaft selectively securable to a distributor shaft, said housing and said driven shaft being flexible whereby said indicator dial may be selectively remotely positioned relative to a distributor, a mounting plate for said indicator dial, a supporting hook on said mounting plate.

4. A timing and tappet setting indicator comprising a mounting head securable to a distributor head, an indicator dial, an elongated housing secured to and connecting said mounting head and said indicator dial, a driven shaft extending through said housing, a pointer on one end of said driven shaft cooperating with said indicator dial, a coupling member on the other end of said driven shaft selectively securable to a distributor shaft, said indicator dial being interchangeable whereby the timing and tappet setting indicator may be used with distributors for engines of various numbers of cylinders.

5. A timing and tappet setting indicator comprising a mounting head securable to a distributor head, an indicator dial, an elongated housing secured to and connecting said mounting head and said indicator dial, a driven shaft extending through said housing, a pointer on one end of said driven shaft cooperating with said indicator dial, a coupling member on the other end of said driven shaft selectively securable to a distributor shaft, said mounting head being adjustable to fit distributor heads of various diameters, said mounting head including a plate adapted to bridge a distributor head, mounting brackets adjustably secured to said plate, said mounting brackets having adjustable distributor head engaging clamps.

6. A timing and tappet setting indicator comprising a mounting head securable to a distributor head, an indicator dial, an elongated housing secured to and connecting said mounting head and said indicator dial, a driven shaft extending through said housing, a pointer on one end of said driven shaft cooperating with said indicator dial, a coupling member on the other end of said driven shaft selectively securable to a distributor shaft, said mounting head bridging a distributor head and being adjustable to fit distributor. heads of various diameters, and wall thickness.

7. A timing and tappet setting indicator comprising a mounting head securable to a distributor head, an indicator dial, an elongated housing secured to and connecting said mounting head and said indicator dial, a driven shaft extending through said housing, a pointer on one end of said driven shaft cooperating with said indicator dial, a coupling member on the other end of said driven shaft selectively securable to a distributor shaft, said indicator dial being interchangeable whereby the timing and tappet setting indicator may be used with distributors for engines of various numbers of cylinders, said mounting head bridging a distributor head and being adjustable to fit distributor heads of various diameters.

8. A timing and tappet setting indicator comprising a mounting head securable to a distributor head, an indicator dial, an elongated housing secured to and connecting said mounting head and said indicator dial, a driven shaft extending through said housing, a pointer on one end of said driven shaft cooperating with said indicator dial, a coupling member on the other end of said driven shaft selectively securable to a distributor shaft, said indicator dial being interchangeable whereby the timing and tappet setting indicator may be used with distributors for engines of various numbers of cylinders, said coupling member being interchangeable to fit various sizes and types of distributor shafts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,846,153 Sherman Feb. 23, 1932 2,090,020 Ballou Aug. 17, 1937 2,443,135 Glotfelty June 8, 1948 

